Monthly Archives: February 2021

In Memory of Brenden Harper & Andrew Blackwell (February 25, 2021)

Emergency crews were called to the scene of the incident on I-465 westbound near Michigan Road at 11:52 p.m. First responders found a full-size cargo van had crashed into the back of a tractor trailer, and two unconscious and unresponsive men were trapped in the van, police said.

Indianapolis Fire Department crews freed the men from the van, but the passenger, identified as 25-year-old Brenden Harper, of Indianapolis, was pronounced dead at the scene. The van’s driver, Andrew Blackwell, 33, of Greenwood, was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. 2 dead after van crashes into semi-tractor trailer stopped on I-465 late Thursday night

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Brenden Harper & Andrew Blackwell, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Richard Hamm (February 26, 2021)

Richard Hamm, 62, died when his 2008 Dodge Caliber drove “directly into and underneath” a UPS tractor-trailer in front of Thorlabs at 2:22 p.m. Friday, according to a press release from the Andover Township Police Department. Hamm was traveling northbound toward Newton when the accident occurred, police said.

An investigation determined the tractor-trailer was perpendicular with the roadway and attempting to back into the loading dock area of Thorlabs at the time of the crash. The driver of the UPS vehicle, whom police did not identify in the report, was uninjured. Police identify victim in fatal Route 206 accident involving car, tractor-trailer

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Richard Hamm, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Janaria James (February 23, 2021)

. . . the crash involved at least 15 vehicles, including several large trucks. 

Shortly after the wreck, officials said one person was airlifted and another person was left trapped. Hours later, police confirmed that a 13-year-old girl, identified as Janaria James of Plaquemine, died in the crash.

Police said the car James was riding in was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. Police are still investigating why the truck driver was unable to stop before striking the other vehicle. Police identify 13-year-old girl killed in massive pileup crash on old bridge Tuesday

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Janaria James, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of David Miller (February 22, 2021)

. . . a man driving a Honda Accord was headed south on SR-93.

A semi driver was backing into a private driveway off of SR-93.

Troopers say the Honda hit the side of the semi’s trailer.

The driver of the Honda was killed. He’s been identified as David Miller . . . Man killed in crash with semi-trailer in Stark County

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

David Miller, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Keean Smalls (February 21, 2021)

The driver of the suspect vehicle drove through the parking lot of the Sprint gas station on Gordon Highway at Barton Chapel Road and struck the rear of a parked tractor-trailer. The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle by fire crews.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified the driver as Keean Smalls, 23, of Augusta.  Police chase leaves one dead in Augusta

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Keean Smalls, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of William Taylor (February 17, 2021)

William Taylor, 87, of CochranvillePennsylvania, died in the crash. . .

the driver of Dodge Dakota was traveling south on Georgetown Road, and for unknown reasons, failed to stop at the posted sign and entered the intersection of South Belmont Road.

The driver of a tractor-trailer was traveling north on the intersection and the front end of the Dodge Dakota collided with the passenger side of the tractor-trailer. The vehicle then became stuck under the tractor-trailer

The tractor-trailer continued north for a short distance before coming to a final rest in the northbound lane of Georgetown Road.

The Dodge Dakota eventually separate from the tractor-trailer and struck a road sign at the intersection. Police release details of fatal crash in Paradise Township Wednesday afternoon

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

William Taylor, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Jonathan McLaurin (February 19, 2021)

Thirty-year-old Jonathan McLaurin died Friday morning in a crash on Highway 71 near Campbell Soup nest the Maxton area of Scotland County, according to Master Trooper J. Edwards with North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Edwards said McLaurin crossed left of the center of the line and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. 30-year-old man killed in Scotland Co. crash

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Jonathan McLaurin, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Robert Tarbuskovich (February 19, 2021)

The accident happened around 1:25 p.m. when a garbage truck driven by Antonio Guerra, 61, was stopped northbound on Toussaint Portage Road collecting garbage. A 2015 Ford Escape driven by Robert Tarbuskovich, 71, struck the truck in the rear.

Tarbuskovich sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Garbage truck involved in fatal crash in Ottawa County

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Robert Tarbuskovich, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Carl Cheeseman, Jr. (February 17, 2021)

the driver of an SUV killed in a head-on crash with a tractor trailer late Wednesday in Gloucester County.

Carl E. Cheeseman Jr., 30, of Vineland, was driving westbound on Route 40 near Rosemont Avenue and Harding Avenue in Newfield about 11 p.m. when police think he swerved to avoid a deer. His SUV entered the eastbound lane striking the truck. . . Police ID Driver, 30, Killed In Head-On Gloucester County Crash With Tractor-Trailer

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Carl Cheeseman, Jr., Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Joseph Curry (February 11, 2021)

The driver of a pick-up was killed in the crash.

According to the coroner, the driver was identified as 57-year-old Joseph Curry from Shattuc, Ill. He was the only person in the truck. . .

ISP said a pick-up truck was traveling north on I-57 when the driver attempted to exit at milepost 94, which is the Veterans Memorial Drive exit for Mt. Vernon.

A SEMI was parked on the right shoulder just past the exit ramp.

ISP said the driver of the pick-up “failed to negotiate” the exit and rear ended the tractor trailer. Driver identified in deadly crash involving SEMI, truck on I-57 in near Mt. Vernon, Ill.

Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Joseph Curry, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

How You Can Help

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but I think that underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.